Floor construction



Nov. 1 1937. o. H. HAY ES' 2,099,517

FLOOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 10, 1936 INVENTOR.

a ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 16, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

This invention relates broadlyto plastic floor construction, more particularly to floor construction of that type wherein various patterns are formed upon the surface of the floor. In floor construction of this general character, strips formed of brass or other material have been commonly employed for many years as a means for outlining or defining the patterns and also as a means for uniting or looking together the various sections of the plastic material which form the pattern. I r

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a new and improved strip for use in the formation, of plastic floors of this character, such strips being known in the art as terrazzo.

Another object is to provide in a terrazzo strip,

Another object of the invention is to provide in .a terrazzo strip of this character new and. improved means whereby the strip itself may be more firmly and securely tied or engaged with the plastic material forming thefloor.

Another object of the invention is to provide terrazzo strip which is partly adapted to be :employed in already existing floor construction;such for instance, as a wooden floor which it is in tended to over-lie with a floor of plastic composition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved terrazzo strip which may be more firmly and securely anchored to a wooden floor than as obtained in strips of this character as .hitherto constructed.

,A further object of the invention is to provide a terrazzo strip having a new and improved means for anchoring the stripstogether at their points of intersection, such that the. patterns to be defined by the said strips may be readily laid out in the strip construction and. whereby there is no danger of the strips which form the pattern becoming displaced or moved relatively to each other while the plastic material is being deposited within the structure formed by these strips.

Another objectof the invention is to provide a terrazzo strip so constructed. that when laid upon the surface underlying the terrazzo floor to be formed it will standupon such surface in a vertical positon or in a position at right angles to the floor to besurfaced unaided by any supporting means.

Another-object of the invention is to providea new and improved means .for uniting or locking together the ends of adjacent strips such that a Figure 1.

straight line between said united strips is at all times maintained and the abutting strips will be held from relative displacement while the plastic material is being deposited in the patterns formed by the strips.

Other objects and aims of the invention, more or less specific than those referred to above, will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the course of the following description of the elements, combinations, arrangements of parts and applications of principles, constituting the invention, and the scope of protection contemplated will be indicated in'the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing wherein I have illustrated a preferred form of embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a view in perspective illustrating the manner in which my improved terrazzo strip is employed in terrazzo floor constructioma part of the floor being broken away better to illustrate theinvention,

Figure 2 is a top plan view showing two inters'ecting strips of my improved construction and also showing the means employed for securing and locking together the abutting strip sections,

Figure 3'is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, assuming that said line is extended to the end of the construction shown in Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of one of my improved. terrazzo strips, broken away so that the construction of the end of the strip may be illustrated,

Figure 5 isa top plan view of a portion of one of the strips showing the flanged construction thereof, and

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken through the flanged part of the strip showing the manner in which the strip is fastened to the underlying floor.

Referringnow to the drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to separate parts throughout the several views of the drawing, the reference numeral l denotes my improved strip, formed of metal, preferably brass.

It will be noted that the upper edge 2 of this strip is perfectly straight and is unbroken throughout its entire extent as illustrated in The reference" numeral 3 denotes a pair of flanges which are struck out from the material of the strip so that each flange'stands'out from the strip, the flanges of each pair 'forming an oblique angle with the plane of the side *of the ml andthe ends of said flanges being-slightly spaced apart as at 4, the width of said spaces be ing preferably slightly less than the thickness of the material forming the strip.

The reference numeral 5 indicates another pair of .flanges struck out in an opposite direction from the strip, said last named flanges being also similarly spaced apart at their ends as at 5.

By reference to Figures 1, 3 and 4, it will be seen that the flanges of each adjacent pair are located in differentvertical planes, that is to say, one pair of these flanges is located in a higher plane than the other pair of neighboring flanges. The members of each neighboring pair of flanges are struck out in opposite directions from the metal composing the strip and the spaces or recesses 4 and 6 between the ends of the flanges are disposed in opposite relations.

The width of the bases of the opposed flanges together, in practice, equal one-half of the width of the strip for reasons which will be apparent hereinafter.

The flanges are preferably equidistantly spaced along the length of the strip and are also preferably disposed alternately on the opposite side of the strip as shown in the full and dotted lines in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawing.

The reference numeral 7 denotes a plurality of preferably circular apertures which are equidistantly disposed throughout the length of the strip and the lowermost part of the edges of each of these apertures are located at a distance one-half through them, thus establishing a bonding relation between the plastic material on the opposite sides of the strip, and they have a further function which'will now be described. The apertures I as aforesaid are formed in the strip when the same is originally produced. In the manipulation of the strips in the forming of the pattern for the finished floor, the mechanic employed to lay the strips'cuts a recess such as shown at 8 directly above one of these recesses where strips are to cross each other. This recess or slot together with the recess 1 into which it leads permits these cross strips at their point of intersection to be relatively engaged in such a way that, the upper edges of the strips at their point of intersection will lie in the same plane.- This also is accomplished by reason of the fact that the bases of the flanges l occupy half of the width of the strip and the recess 8 and the aperture 1 into which said recess leads occupy half of the Width of the strip. g l

Each strip at one end is provided-with a plurality of fingers and these fingers are extended alternately in opposite directions, the sides of the fingers lying in a plane parallel with the plane of the strip as shown in'Figure 1 of the drawing. In the present instance, two pairs of fingers No. 9, 9 and I0, I0 are shown at one end of the strip, each pair being disposed in a direction opposite to that of the others. By reference to Figure 3 of the drawing it will be noted that the uppermost of one of said flanges l8 has been cut off leaving a'stub which'will be abutted by the plain end of the adjacent strip. By means of this construction it will be noted that the forked end of the strip will not be visible from the outer surface of the flooring and that merely the abutting ends of the adjoining strips will be visible upon the exterior surface of the flooring. I

. The lateral spaces between the fingers are slightly less than that of the width of the strip so that when the plain end of one strip is inserted between the fingered end of its neighboring strip a resilient frictional engagement will be established between the neighboring ends, thus facilitating the holding together of the framework formed by the strips during the laying of the plastic material.

' Referring now to Figure 6 of the drawing, it will be noted that the flanges 3 form an opening ll between them and similarly the flanges -5 provided upon the opposite side of the strip form an opening I2, and that these two openings form an oblique passageway through which a nail I 3 or other fastening device may be inserted and driven into the surface underlying the plastic or terrazzo floor. This nail i3 or other fastening device serves to anchor the strip framework to the'floor.

If desired, I may press portions of the material of the strip in an outward direction as shown at M which serve as additional anchorage for the plastic material lying within the framework formed by the strips and these pressed-out formations may be of any desired design which, aside from their mechanical construction, may operate as a trade-mark. For instance, as shown herein these pressed-out portions are intended to simulate a pine tree.

In the present instance the head l5 of the nail l3 may have its circular edges cutaway at one point in its circumference providing a flattened portion which lies in engagement with the side wall of the strip, thus making it possible for the head of the nail tobe driven through into the underlying surface,

Having thus described my improved terrazzo strip, the manner of using the same which should be largely obvious from the above description is.

nately in opposite directions a construction is provided whereby each strip will stand alone Without any additional support, the oppositely disposed flanges serving as feet to hold the strip in a vertical direction. .The provision of the aperture 1 enables the mechanic engaged in laying the floor to provide points of intersection between crossed stripsat any desired location along the length of a strip. This is accomplished as above described by merely slotting the material of the strip in a downwardly direction directly above one of these openings 1.

Referring to Figures land 2 of the drawing it will be noted that the ends of the flanges engaging the cross strip braces the latter and tends to hold it in a vertical position. Thus the strips at their 7 points of intersection mutually brace each other and in that way serve to hold the members of the entire floor framework in firm engagement, insuring against displacement of any part of this framework during the laying of the floor.

Inasmuch as the slot 8 whioh is cut by the workman, at the point of intersection of cross strips is fllled by the material of the strip entering the slot, there is an unbroken metallic surface throughout the finished floor, in other words the pattern formed by the upper edges of the strips which lie flush with the surface of the floor is unbroken throughout its entire extent.

It will be: obvious, of' course, that instead of providing the: nail l3 diagonally'orobliquely intoi lthe-floor, a'nailmay be inserted in a vertical direc-- tion-through each'of-the spaces H and I2 formed by their respective flanges.

It willaccordingly be seen; that I have provided a construction well adapted toattain, among others, all the ends and objects of the invention in a most facile manner. The opposed flanges provide a means for efiectually fastening theindividual strips as well as the entireframe work formed by saidstrips and the underlying surface, and these flanges have a further function of providing spaces into which the plastic material flows thereby increasing the anchorage betweenthe plastic material and the strips. The apertures 1 also serve to increase the bonding of'the 'plasticmaterial atzopposite sides of the strip.

As many changes could be made in this construction without departing from'the scope of the following claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shell be interpreted.

as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters-Pate ent is:

I 1'. A dividing strip. for sectional plastic floor constructioncomprisi-ng a strip of flexible metal having an unbroken upper edge, a plurality of flanges struck out from the material of the strip at its lower edge and extending laterally, obliquely in one direction and a plurality of flanges struck out from the material of said strip directly above said first named flanges and extending outwardly, obliquely in an opposite direction, the distance separating the edge of said flanges being equal to the thickness of the strip.

2. In sectional plastic flooring, a dividing strip for said plastic sections comprising a strip of flexible metal having an unbroken upper edge and two pairs of free ended flanges struck out from the material of the strip at its lower edge, one pair of said flanges extending outwardly, obliquely in one direction, the other pair of said flanges extending outwardly, obliquely in another direction, said free ended flanges having a slot between them of a width substantially equal to the thickness of the strip.

3. In sectional plastic flooring, a dividing strip I for said plastic sections comprising a strip of flexible metal having an unbroken upper edge and :two pairs, of flanges struck out from the material of the strip at its lower edge, one pair of said flanges extending outwardly, obliquely in one direction and the other pair of said flanges extending outwardly, obliquely in another direction, the combined width of said flanges being equal to one-half of the width of the strip, the distance between the ends of flanges being substantially equal to the thickness of said strip.

4. A device of the class described comprising a strip of flexible metal having an unbroken edge, a pair of flanges struck out from the material of the strip and-extending outwardly at an oblique angle to the strip and breaking the lower edge thereof, a pair of flanges struck out from the material of the strip and located directly above said first named flanges and extending outwardly at an oblique angle to the strip, the ends of said flanges being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the strip.

5. In plastic floor construction, a strip of flexible metal having an unbroken upper edge, a pair of straight flanges struck out from the material of ithestripat the opposite edgeeoflsaid strip and extending outwardly toward each other and lying in an oblique angle with respect to the side'oi the stripe; pair of-flanges struck out from the material of' said strip and located immediately above said; first named flanges and extending in an opposite direction at an oblique angle to. the side of the strip, the combined width of said flanges being equal to one-half the width of the strip, the spaces between the ends of opposing flanges being substantiallyequal to'the thickness of said strip, a plurality of apertures formed in said strip, the lowermost edge of said apertures being located midway ofv the width of said strip and the material of said strip being adapted to be slotted directly above any one of said apertures.

,6. Insectional plastic floor construction a strip of flexible metal having an unbroken upper edge, a pluralityof free ended flanges struck out from the body of the strip at its lower edge extending outwardly from the body of the strip in one direction and a pluralityof free ended flanges located directly above said first-named flanges and extending outwardly from the body of the strip in another direction, said flanges forming partly closed spaces and saidspaces forming an oblique passageway through which a nail or other fastening device may be inserted whereby to secure said I strip to an underlying surface.

'7. A dividing strip adapted for use in plastic floor construction; comprising a strip having a straight upper edge and a broken lower edge formed by a plurality of free ended flanges struck out from the material of the strip and extending in opposite directions from the body of the strip, said flanges being disposed in alternate relation TIT) throughout the length of the strip, and the ends of said flanges being spaced apart to form a slot substantially equal to the width of the strip.

8. A strip for providing a dividing means for 1 plastic sectional floor construction having a straight unbroken upper edge, a plurality of flanges struck out from the material of the strip at its opposite edge, said flanges extending out wardly and obliquely with respect to the sides of the strip, a pair of flanges struck out from the body of the strip and located immediately above said first named flanges and extending outwardly from the body of the strip ina direction opposed to that of the direction of the first named flanges, each pair of flanges approaching each other to form a narrow passageway having a width substantially equal to the thickness of the strip and said passageways being disposed opposite each other along a plane at right angles to the length of the strip. I

9. As a new article of manufacture, a strip of flexible material for use in sectional plastic flooring having a width equal to the thickness of the floor to be laid and having an unbroken upper edge and a plurality of flanges struck out from the material of the strip at its lower edge and extending outwardly in one direction, said flanges being arranged in alternate relation throughout the length of the strip, a plurality of flanges struck out from the body of the strip and located directly above said first named flanges and extending outwardly in another direction with respect to the strip the space separating opposing flanges being substantially equal to the thickness of the strip, said last named flanges being disposed in alternate relation throughout the length of the strip and said strip having a plurality of apertures cut through the material of the strip and located intermediately the neighboring pairs of flanges. r

10. A dividing strip for sectional plastic flooring composed of a strip of flexible metal having means for forming a binding engagement with the plastic material, said means being adapted to receive a nail or other device for fastening said strip to an underlying surface and a plurality of opposed fingers formed on one end of said strip, the opposite end of said strip being plain whereby it may be engaged with the opposed fingers of a neighboring strip, the uppermost finger of one of said strips being cut ofi forming a stub which will be abutted directly by the plain end of its neighboring strip. 7

11. In plastic sectional floor construction a plurality of strips of flexible metal, each of which is provided with a plurality of opposed anges at its lower edge, said flanges approaching each other to form a passageway between the ends thereof on opposite sides of the strip, said passageway being located in a plane at right angles to the strip, each of said strips having a plurality of openings located intermediately of its flanges and each of said strips being adapted to be slotted directly above any one of said apertures. whereby to receive the flanged portion of another strip whereby two of said strips may be mutually engaged with each other at their point of intersection.

12, In plastic sectional floor construction a plurality of strips of flexible metal, each of which is provided with a plurality of opposed flanges at its lower edge, said flanges approaching each other to form a passageway between the ends thereof on opposite sides of the strip, said passageway being located in a plane at right angles to the strip, each of said strips having a plurality of openings located intermediately of its flanges and each of said strips being adapted to be slotted directly above any one of said apertures whereby to receive the flanged'portion of anothervstrlp whereby two of said strips may be mutually engaged with each other at their point of intersection, and the ends of the flanges of one strip engaging with the side of the intersecting strip to form bracing means therefor.

13. In sectional plastic floor construction, a dividing strip for said plastic floor sections comprising a strip of flexible material having an unbroken upper edge, a pair of free ended flanges struck out from the material of the strip and extending outwardly, obliquely in one direction, and a pair of free endedrflanges struck out from the material of said strip and extending outwardly obliquely in another direction, said flanges being disposed in alternate relation throughout the length of the strip, and the opposite flanges of each pair having a slot between their ends of suflicient width to receive a cross strip between them.

ORRIL HJHAYES. 

